A Handmaids Tale

JimDandy

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May 17, 2004
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I have watched the first 3 eps and I am downloading the 4th ep as I type this. This is one scary series. It is also well acted and directed.

I think what makes it so scary is that when we see what some of the far right governments are doing, like the one currently in control in the USA, you could actually see a similar story rolling out for real. Margaret Atwood herself does not describe it as science fiction, but rather as a description of one of many possible futures. As well, she says every one of the government acts carried out in her original novel has happened at some point in time in the past.

I definitely recommend!

JD
 

Lady Vanessa

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I watched the episode last night and was captivated with the premise. Have never read Miss Atwood's novel, but will do that first and revisit the cinematography.
Pretty Priya's squeals of delight it was on, piqued my interest.
 

Ms Erica Phoenix

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I haven't seen it. I have seen the original cinematic movie starring Natasha Richardson, Robert Duvall & Faye Dunaway. Of course, I read the novel as a new release, & it has always been a great favourite of mine. I might argue that it's Atwood's best.
 

Ms Erica Phoenix

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In Your Wildest Dreams!
I have watched the first 3 eps and I am downloading the 4th ep as I type this. This is one scary series. It is also well acted and directed.

I think what makes it so scary is that when we see what some of the far right governments are doing, like the one currently in control in the USA, you could actually see a similar story rolling out for real. Margaret Atwood herself does not describe it as science fiction, but rather as a description of one of many possible futures. As well, she says every one of the government acts carried out in her original novel has happened at some point in time in the past.

I definitely recommend!

JD
I would put it into the realm of 'speculative fiction", personally, like the works of Neil Gaiman. More modern fantasy than science fiction, closer to our own universe than epic fantasy (ie Game of Thrones). I believe this novel ought to be taught in the modern high school Literature 12 curriculum if it isn't already.
 

Man Mountain

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I would put it into the realm of 'speculative fiction", personally, like the works of Neil Gaiman. More modern fantasy than science fiction, closer to our own universe than epic fantasy (ie Game of Thrones). I believe this novel ought to be taught in the modern high school Literature 12 curriculum if it isn't already.
Speaking of Neil Gaiman, has anybody watched American Gods yet...?

Handmaid's Tale is on bravo here in Canada but no Canadian channels have picked up American Gods. As of right now, it only appears to be available on Amazon Prime in Canada. I was really looking forward to it but I'm not a savvy downloader and I don't have Amazon Prime... :(
 

Ms Erica Phoenix

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In Your Wildest Dreams!
Speaking of Neil Gaiman, has anybody watched American Gods yet...?

Handmaid's Tale is on bravo here in Canada but no Canadian channels have picked up American Gods. As of right now, it only appears to be available on Amazon Prime in Canada. I was really looking forward to it but I'm not a savvy downloader and I don't have Amazon Prime... :(
You read my mind! I have been following the hype about it on Twitter since day one, & I have read it innumerable times. I know I've now purchased, loaned out & lost 2 copies of it! The only option that appears to be available to us is Amazon Prime. Very disappointing.
 

JimDandy

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May 17, 2004
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I would put it into the realm of 'speculative fiction", personally, like the works of Neil Gaiman. ... I believe this novel ought to be taught in the modern high school Literature 12 curriculum if it isn't already.
Atwood's novel has been taught ins schools all over the world, but not without controversy. Google "should the handmaids tale be taught in the school system" to see many links discussing the pros and cons of using her novel in the education system and what the appropriate age it should be taught.

When I went to school Atwood had not yet published her novel and the sci fi classic that we studied in High School was "A Canticle for Leibowitz". I had been reading sci-fi for years and found this novel to be rather dry compared to say "Dune" or "To Fear No Evil". But over time I have come to appreciate it more and I still remember the main plot of this post-apocalyptic novel.

JD
 
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JimDandy

Well-known member
May 17, 2004
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464
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Lower Mainland, B.C.
Speaking of Neil Gaiman, has anybody watched American Gods yet...?

Handmaid's Tale is on bravo here in Canada but no Canadian channels have picked up American Gods. As of right now, it only appears to be available on Amazon Prime in Canada. I was really looking forward to it but I'm not a savvy downloader and I don't have Amazon Prime... :(
I have watched the first 2 eps of American Gods. Wow! Like nothing I have seen before. The closest perhaps is the tv series Preacher which I also recommend. It is very easy to download any tv show or movie using bittorrents. If you want instructions on how to do so, I have created a doc that details exactly how to do so. PM me and I will send you a copy.

JD
 

Man Mountain

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I have watched the first 2 eps of American Gods. Wow! Like nothing I have seen before. The closest perhaps is the tv series Preacher which I also recommend. It is very easy to download any tv show or movie using bittorrents. If you want instructions on how to do so, I have created a doc that details exactly how to do so. PM me and I will send you a copy.

JD
Yeah, I too quite enjoyed the first season of Preacher and look forward to season 2 in June.

Thanks for the offer of help with the how to guide to download but part of my problem is my computer is pretty old and slow now. I've gotten too spoiled with Netflixing on dedicated devices...

I may just splurge on the Amazon Prime at some point to catch American Gods.
 

rlock

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May 20, 2015
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I tend to like dystopian tales, so I've been watching this one. Pretty good so far. Some obvious emotional button-pushing in it, but it does do a good job of showing how a crisis could greatly empower the "Christian Taliban".


I would put it into the realm of 'speculative fiction", personally, like the works of Neil Gaiman. More modern fantasy than science fiction, closer to our own universe than epic fantasy (ie Game of Thrones). I believe this novel ought to be taught in the modern high school Literature 12 curriculum if it isn't already.
I would have said closer to V For Vendetta by Alan Moore; one thing about both books is that they were written in the Thatcher-Reagan era, so both had to be updated to more current realities as they made the transition to the screen.
 
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